The Ultimate Guide to Padding for Kigurumi (at least for now)

This thread has been on my mind for the last year. It wasn't until Anime North that everything jelled into a concise body of work.
I want to give credit to Fussen and Jesse for helping make this thread possible. Fussen's technique which was a revisions and
improvements of my old techniques and for Jesse's photographs showing the process we do here at the studio.

First~ The List (Edited 190330) click on the item to link to an example

6.jpg Fill in the lines after you've finished measuring with a HEAVY black line.

7.jpg On to the band saw or razor knife to make the first rough angel cut around the entire pad. Keep in mind we use power tools here at the
studio. You can substitute other tools to do the job. The important thing is to get the cuts as smooth and consistent as you can. This makes final shaping of the pads so much easier.....

17.jpg Almost looks like the same picture doesn't it?? Well it isn't,,, This is 17

18.jpg Other side cut... I hope you're getting the idea here.... “Cut away foam living no blood on the studio floor”

19.jpg Side view to give another vantage point. Notice the naked arm Not mine, I am much cuter Taper cuts are almost complete.....

20.jpg At the studio “The Beast” is a 48” x 8” vertical belt sander. I use 30 grit belts that have only been used for grinding the
souls of my fallen enemies Dammit Sofa, get outta here.... The belts are only used for foam projects. I do this for two reasons.. First, the belts are
extremely sharp toothed and cut the foam very quicky... Secondly, belts used for other project contaminate the foam leaving discoloration...

21.jpg Hollowing out the back side of the pads is accomplished be first, drawing lines on the back. Then inserting them into so type of device to
hould them belt outwardly so they can be cut with the electric knife.....

22.jpg It looks like this... Follow the lines drawn... Once you've carved enough material out smooth them with the belt sander....

Well that's really all there is to it... Not magic just allot of foam particles up your nose and in your eyes... You can if you like use a
dust mask and eye protection to eliminate that from happening like Jesse does... Or you can do it like I do it and just sneeze for the
next couple of days

The important thing here is the process... It isn't magic... It’s just an afternoon of you life... But the cool thing is after that time you
will have some pads that complete the whole look you're going for.

An overbust waist training corset ( yes overbust ) torso is longer on these plus
it gives you better curves and is way more comfy than underbust types.

Thanks for this article - very informative. Also glad I read it before buying a couple of corsets to experiment with as I probably wouldn’t have considered getting an ‘overbust’ type.

I recently bought both a underbust 'cincher' and an 'overbust' just to see which suited me best and I have to agree that the overbust definitely seems to be the way to go. Not that the cincher isn’t kinda fun and gives me a ridiculous ‘hourglass’ figure (and that’s without any padding), but the you do get a bit of ‘overspill’ to put it bluntly due to the shorter length where as the overbust gives a much smoother sleeker shape and does seem more comfortable overall - I don't think mine actually laces as tight, but that's probably not a bad thing as being able to breath is still important

Edit - Should also have mentioned that, as Cici pointed out to me, you really want a proper steel boned corset - the cheaper ones have plastic strips in them which are nowhere near as durable or give as much support so if you want long term use out of it it's well worth spending the extra money.

I have never heard of padding for kigurumi and it kind of looks uncomfortable when you have it in the zentai/bodysuit I would think that there's female zentai/bodysuit for kigurumi to make it more comfortable instead of pads unless the kigurumi mask makes your neck uncomfortable

erm....... those 'female bodysuits' are fetish wear and not normally intended for cosplay. They will not be comfortable in the usual sense nor will they prove as effective in making the character as proper shape wear. Trust me on this......'>.........

Bodysuit, covers the torso and arms, cut thumb holds into the sleeves and
smooths the corset bumps
Shapewear, romper ( small sized ) helps separate the sweetspot between your legs
and smooths the corset bumps
Shapewear, romper ( larger sized ) helps separate the sweetspot between your
legs and smooths the corset bumps even more, I only do this step when I'm
wearing swinwear

cici can you share links for buying such bodysuits and shapewear? or recommnd some webpages?
Thanks in advise!!!

I know this is a little strange to ask about the padding but any advice for those with very little to no workspace. When it comes to available workspace I am lucky to have anything more than about a 36 in by 52 in space.

I know this is a little strange to ask about the padding but any advice for those with very little to no workspace. When it comes to available workspace I am lucky to have anything more than about a 36 in by 52 in space.

Do you have space to store stuff? No parent tossing stuff away for "cleaning"?
I do my diy-work on my livingroom floor. newspapers go for cover. Also depending from material, dustmask might be good idea. Mostly I say you need place where yu can count you stuff stays, and can maybe dry up, without anyone hassling with them.

I know this is a little strange to ask about the padding but any advice for those with very little to no workspace. When it comes to available workspace I am lucky to have anything more than about a 36 in by 52 in space.

All you need for pads is a breakfast table to lay the sheet of foam out on to cut the initial shape. After that you can use a pair of scissors and taper the foam on your lap if you want.